Thank you, Mr. President,
At the outset, let me begin by congratulating you, President Kenyatta
for your outstanding leadership as President of the UN Security Council
this month. Your delegation has focused on some of the most pressing
thematic issues, as well as led an excellent visit of all Council
members to Mali and Niger recently, which was immensely useful in
understanding the situation on the ground.
2. I also commend you on leading the discussions today, especially on
an important subject of cooperation between the United Nations and
regional and sub-regional organizations, with a specific focus on the
African Union. Given the context of recent developments in the African
continent, the topic of "Renewing Solidarity to Successfully Deliver
Peace and Security in a Changing Conflict Environment” is well timed
and indeed most apt.
3. I would also like to thank the briefer, Mr.Donald Kaberuka, African
Union High Representative for the Peace Fund for his valuable insights.
4. Mr. President, The international community needs to pay close
attention to the African voice and wisdom. No one can know Africa
better than Africans themselves. We have seen from history, that
offering "external” solutions to African problems without African
involvement, has not served the interests of the African people. This
skewed approach needs to change.
5. The change should begin here, in the Security Council itself. Given
the fact that nearly seventy percent of Chapter VII mandate resolutions
are on Africa, a strong and effective partnership between the United
Nations with the African Union (AU), has to be the foundational
edifice. While we have existing mechanisms of cooperation broadly based
on the principles enshrined in the Chapter VIII of the UN Charter, what
is glaring is the fact that while African states constitute more than
one-fourth of the UN membership, their continued denial of
representation in the permanent category of membership, is a blot on
the collective credibility of this Council. While India has always
supported the Ezulwini consensus and called for permanent African
representation in an expanded Council, those who are responsible for
denial by delay and perpetuating an historical injustice must be called
out.
Mr. President,
6. In today’s African continent, democratic values are driving efforts
to effectively address the challenges of peace and security. This is
clearly evident through AU’s increased role within the framework of the
African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and in the success of
AMISOM in Somalia, as well as through its mediation efforts in Libya.
7. The African Union has been ably supported by the preventive
diplomacy and mediation efforts of the ECOWAS, the ECCAS, Southern
African Development Community (SDAC) and the Intergovernment Authority
on Development (IGAD), each of whom have been critical in advancing
peace efforts in their respective regions. We need to be cognizant of
this reality and this spirit of burden sharing must continue to drive
the agenda of peace and security.
Mr. President,
8. India appreciates because of its own experience that the root cause
for conflicts in Africa lie in its colonial history. In terms of the
immediate issue at hand, let me suggest five points for consideration:
i. One, on matters related to peace and security, the Security Council
should respect the regional approach adopted by countries involved, and
work in collaboration with regional organizations to address these
shared challenges.
ii. Two, the spread of terrorism in Africa, as evident from the
challenges we face in the Sahel, Somalia, and central and east Africa,
is a matter of serious concern. The initiatives undertaken by AMISOM,
G-5 Sahel Joint Force, and Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) need
more robust support from the Security Council and the international
community. We endorse the call of the Secretary General to support
African counter-terrorism operations with sustained financing,
including through assessed contributions.
iii. Three, UN Peacekeeping Operations and Special Political Missions,
need to be sufficiently mandated and resourced to implement respective
mandates. Our experience in peacekeeping in Africa shows that missions
often struggle to implement ambitious mandates. Peacekeeping missions
should have a clear and well thought out exit strategy.
iv. Four, while UN-AU strategic partnership has grown over the years,
collective peacebuilding efforts still lag behind in other areas. A
more meaningful peacebuilding partnership between the UN and the AU,
based on inter-institutional cooperation that focusses on harnessing
comparative strengths to complement each other in pursuing the ultimate
goal of peace and security in the region is indeed needed.
v. And Five, in order to resolve the issues that divide the UNSC and
the AU Peace and Security Council (AU-PSC), it is important to
re-energize and strengthen liaison mechanisms. A3 members can play an
important role in the same. While deciding on the appointments of
Special Envoys of the Secretary General or the draw-down of ongoing
peacekeeping and political missions, it is important to consider the
views of the regional member states.
Mr. President,
9. India and Africa share a unique and historical relationship. Our
approach to this partnership was enunciated by Prime Minister Narendra
Modi in 2018 through Ten Guiding Principles. We have worked with Africa
as per Africa’s priorities, Africa’s comfort and Africa’s aspirations.
We believe that Africa’s rise is essential for true multi-polarity in
the global order and are committed to supporting that happening.
India’s support has always been without any conditionalities or any
hidden agenda. This is visible in our 184 projects in 41 African
countries implemented under concessional finance. It is expressed in
the medicines, vaccines, health equipment, ambulances, vehicles and
food grains we have provided to many African nations. It is evident in
the vocational training and IT centers set up across Africa, in the
50,000 education and training slots extended over the last five years,
and the digital education and health programs with 19 African partners.
Our trade and technology exchanges are steadily growing, in line with
closer political and people-to-people ties.
10.With these words, Mr. President, I would like to conclude by
reiterating India’s abiding and steadfast commitment towards an
effective partnership between the United Nations and the African Union.
We believe that this partnership is crucial for responding
collectively, coherently and decisively to prevent, manage and resolve
violent conflicts and promote peace and development in Africa.
I thank you, Mr. President.
New Delhi
October 28, 2021
